Page 99 of How He Got the Girl
It’s as clear to me as the sky after a huge storm. If it’s not Mallory, it’s no one for me.
She tilts her head, giving me the perfect access to the hollow spot on her neck. I move my lips there, and she lets out a small sound that I love even more than her laugh because this sound is only for me. I smile against her skin.
I can’t help but think that Mallory was right. In this moment, I’d say we’re both winners.
I’ve thought Mallory was beautiful since I met her, but seeing her in action with her students at this fundraiser takes it to a new level. Her passion for teaching oozes out of her, and she looks just as at ease and natural with the kids as she does on the ice.
Right now, she’s surrounded by a horde of young girls who look like they’re trying to convince her to do the inflatable obstacle course they’re standing by.
I can’t help but smile like a lovestruck fool, watching her in her element. That is, until I see a young boy stomping his way over to me. I readjust my ballcap. This is Mallory’s work event, something for her students and school, so I’ve just been trying to keep the focus off me. It hasn’t been entirely effective since parents, teachers, and students in attendance have still asked for pictures, but everyone’s been respectful.
But the scowl the young boy walking toward me is wearing makes it seem like that’s about to change.
“Hey, you.” He crosses his arms like he’s trying to look more menacing, even though he’s four feet tall. “I’ve seenyou and Ms. Porter all over the magazines at the grocery store. What are your intentions with her?”
“How old are you?” I laugh, thinking he’s kidding, but if his eye daggers could kill, I’d be dead.
“Old enough to know how to treat a woman.”
I don’t know if this kid watches movies that are too mature for him or if his mom reads him romance novels every night. But either way, he seems to think he’s wise beyond his years in the romance realm.
I bend down, getting to his level. “I can’t tell you that I’ll always be perfect, but I promise to always treat Mal—I mean, Ms. Porter—how she deserves to be treated. Like the queen she is.”
He narrows his eyes and looks me over like he’s Gordon Ramsay and I’m an undercooked risotto. Finally, his gaze softens. “I guess you’re okay.” He points a finger at me. “But if you don’t treat her right, you’ll be on my list.”
On his list? This kid can’t be serious.
“Good to know.” I ruffle his hair. “Enjoy the bounce house.” I push up on my knees and hightail it out of there. When I see Mallory still standing with the group of girls, I head her way.
She smiles when she sees me approaching and turns to the girls. “I’ll go on the obstacle course with y’all after Principal Abernathy’s speech.”
That answer seems to appease them because they skip away.
Mallory turns back to me. “I saw you were talking with Aiden.”
Well, now I know what name to tell Karina to watch out for in my hate mail.
“If you can call ittalking,” I chortle.
“He’s a little precocious.”
“A little?” I cross my arms. “That kid is either going to be the future president or onAmerica’s Most Wanted.”
“You’re not wrong.” She laughs. “I hope he didn’t scare you away.”
I wrap my arm around her waist as we head to the stage set up on the opposite side of the gymnasium. “There’s not a single thing in this world that could scare me away.”
She beams up at me. “I have to go stand by all the teachers for the principal’s speech, but I’ll find you after?”
I kiss the crown of her head. “Sounds good.”
As she moves to the stage, I head to the back of the crowd, trying to blend in. I came to support Mallory, not to have a spotlight on me. As the principal begins talking, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Karina’s name flashes on my screen, and I know that I should probably answer. Peering over the crowd, I find Mallory already looking at me. I hold up my phone, frowning. She gives me a little wave, so I step out into the hallway and answer the call.
“Hey, Karina.”
“Do you want the good news or the good news?”
“Give it to me.”
